Celebrate Pride around campus
“Hope will never be silent.” - Harvey Milk. All photos by Emmett Roman.
By Emmett Roman
Staff Reporter
Pride Month is an important part of queer history. On June 28, 1970, New York City celebrated the first-ever pride march in honor of the Stonewall Uprising. After this, Pride Month became an annual celebration.
In honor of Pride Month, LCC’s library has queer books on showcase for interested readers as part of a national event called “Rainbow Reading Month.”
Here are some examples of the books on display:
“We Are Everywhere” by Matthew Reimer and Leighton Brown
This book examines queer history through photographs. According to GoogleBooks, “Featuring more than 300 images from more than seventy photographers and twenty archives, this inclusive and intersectional book enables us to truly see queer history unlike anything before.” The book contains glimpses of activism through the lenses of Stonewall, family life, marches, protests, celebrations, mourning, and Pride.
“Everything I Learned, I Learned in a Chinese Restaurant” by Curtis Chin
According to GoodReads, this queer memoir tells the story of Chin’s life living as a gay Chinese-American kid in 1980s Detroit. The story is centralized around Chung’s Cantonese Cuisine where, as a little boy, Chin realized that people from all walks of life would come for a meal. Throughout the book, Chin navigates his identity and figuring out what to do with his sexuality as a first-generation Chinese-American immigrant kid living during the AIDS crisis.
“Trans Figured: On Being a Transgender Person in a Cisgender World” by Sophie Grace Chappell
This biography tells the story of the transgender author through a combination of a personal memoir, open letters, science fiction writing and other genres, according to the LCC Library’s website. The book examines what is it like being transgender in a world designed for cisgender people.
Those interested in checking out these books can look on the library’s website.
“As long as gay people don't have their rights all across America, there's no reason for celebration.” - Marsha P. Johnson
The Office of Empowerment (OE) is also actively honoring LGBTQIA2S+ students on campus. Before June even began, the office was already decorating the area in pride adornments. Now, there are lanyards, stickers and pins available to those on campus to grab when they stop by the office.
The office is having three main events for Pride Month. The first event is the LGBTQIA2S+ Guest Mentor Pop-ups. Throughout June, students and staff can stop by OE to connect with LGBTQIA2S+ professionals, advocates and more. These mentors will share their life stories, experiences and their insights in a welcoming environment.
The next event is Movies That Matter, where OE will be presenting a film series that will premiere on June 8 with further dates to be announced. The films that will be highlighted have not been chosen yet, but the goal is for it to be a film series that highlights diversity, equity and inclusion. After the screening is over, attendees can engage in a discussion that connects the film to real life experiences.
OE also is inviting everyone to Paint Their Pride on June 9. Participants can design and paint their own tote bags. This event will provide a relaxing and welcoming environment for those that wish to celebrate Pride Month.
In addition to Pride Month celebrations, LGBTQIA2S+ students and staff can find year-round support through two different groups on campus. Prism is the alliance provided for staff members. According to its website, LCC’s Prism Alliance has a mission to “support a vibrant and inclusive LGBTQIA2S+ community for LCC employees by providing opportunities for fellowship and connection.” The group is dedicated to creating safe spaces where employees can share their experiences, celebrate diversity and engage in meaningful dialogue.
The LGBTQIA2S+ Club focuses on providing an inclusive and safe environment for LGBTQIA2S+ students on campus. Students in the club engage in discussions, community building, ongoing development and grassroots organizing.
Pride is an important celebration for the queer community. Not only does it honor the community who fought for centuries for equal rights, but it is a month where queer people get to embrace a part of themselves unconditionally.
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